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Topic Review (Newest First)

01-16-2013 11:41 AM

Cheerful1

The vet said Joey had tartar on his teeth and needed to be cleaned.

The only reason we agreed to it was that he was being neutered and having his paw biopsied and would be under anesthesia anyway.

He asks veterinarians “Is putting this otherwise decently healthy dog under anesthetic something I really want to do?” Now that dental cleaning under general anesthesia seems to becoming an annual event promoted by veterinarians for both dogs and cats as young as 1-year of age, Dr. Allen’s advice is indeed timely. Ensuring that dogs and cats are given foods that do not contribute to dental disease, and that they receive appropriate oral health care maintenance are responsibilities of veterinarians, and pet owners who should be advised accordingly. Cleaning teeth on a regular basis under general anesthesia is a high-risk money-maker that can mean death for otherwise healthy animals.

This isn't to be taken as anti-vet, it is noted so that you take into consideration all the risks involved in the business end of vet med. Now with the internet and a resurgence of natural approach's to our own helath and our pets, people are getting wiser and self educating...along with the AVMA changing the vaccine protocol from 1yr to 3yr, the business of vet medicine is working hard to promote services to maintain and/or bump up the bottom line. Every time you go to the vet it is a "touch point" to sell a product for profit (NOT always - in cases where it is warranted in bad teeth - sure - common sense approach is all). Every employee is trained in suggestion...having a vet tech make an observation is a way to ensure you don't feel the vet is just out to get your money. Power of suggestion - why they always ask what you feed

Now if your dog had his teeth cleaned a yr. ago, I would think you can manage this on your own, save yourself the $$$ and limit the exposure to harmful drugs, especially in a Shepherd (note: anesthetic reduces oxygen to the organs and can be the cause of pancreatitis, either in acute form or where there may be weakness and this exacerbates - acute pancreatitis attack is an emergency that requires IV fluids, hospitilization and huge $$$)

01-16-2013 11:13 AM

wolfstraum

I have a nearly 12 year old, 9 year old, 10 year old.....never have had a dental cleaning done on any dog .....mine get grocery store "soup bones"....ie, marrow bones, not the head of the bone with all the cartilage, just the long bone with marrow.....

I have been quoted $300 for a cat though...another vet did it for $100 (7 or 8 years ago)...helps to have a couple of vets that you use regularly (equine who does some lab work, small animal regular clinic I have used for over 30 years, repro/small animal clinic, another clinic where I get OFAs done....so have a client relationship with at least 4 clinics and can pick and choose